The aim of this work was to study cerebral function in vertically infected children with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1).
Methods: PET with 18F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was performed in eight children (2.5-5.5 yr): three with severe neurological symptoms and five without. Quantitative analysis was based on gray matter cortical and subcortical regions of interest for which glucose utilization was measured.
Results: Diffuse hypometabolism and subcortical hypermetabolism were found in the three children with severe neurological signs; the five other children had temporo-occipital cortical hypometabolism, mainly on the right side.
Conclusion: Functional cerebral abnormalities seem to precede clinical symptoms in HIV-1infection of the brain in children.